WATCH: Alpha Tauri gives a GRAND welcome to Daniel Ricciardo after sacking Nyck de Vries

Daniel Ricciardo was met by a huge round of applause by Alpha Tauri on his first day at Faenza.

WATCH: Alpha Tauri gives a GRAND welcome to Daniel Ricciardo after sacking Nyck de Vries

Daniel Ricciardo (image via Scuderia Alpha Tauri) Nyck de Vries (image via DAZN)

Daniel Ricciardo is back. The Australian driver will be racing in F1 again this season, starting from the Hungarian GP. Ricciardo was announced as the replacement for Nyck de Vries earlier this week. Now, Danny Ric was treated to a cheerful welcome back by the Faenza-based squad on his return to his former team.

Ricciardo was greeted by Alpha Tauri Team Principal Franz Tost right at the entrance. The two men hugged each other straight away. The Australian driver then received a special ID card that said, “Welcome Back Honey Badger Day 1.” The card also included a picture of the 34-year-old with his iconic big smile.

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The Alpha Tauri team members gave Daniel Ricciardo a huge round of applause as he entered the main hall of the building. The 34-year-old took a moment to take in this exciting welcome to his new journey. The Australian seemed thrilled to be greeted in such a manner. Perhaps this served as a boost of confidence for the Australian as well.

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The Red Bull sister team even had special banners for this welcome, stating, “Welcome back Honey Badger.” This was accompanied by honey pots designed just to Ricciardo’s liking. The Australian driver spoke in Italian on his first speech to his new team members in what seemed to be a wonderful Day 1.

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Daniel Ricciardo’s Alpha Tauri gamble

Daniel Ricciardo at Silverstone during the Pirelli tire test (image via Red Bull Racing)
Daniel Ricciardo at Silverstone during the Pirelli tire test (image via Red Bull Racing)

The Honey Badger parted ways with McLaren at the end of 2022, albeit earning a hefty sum from Woking to sit on the sidelines. Ricciardo then decided to take up the role of a reserve driver for his former team, Red Bull. This indeed served as the perfect opportunity for the Australian driver as the former McLaren driver got to fill in the Alpha Tauri seat after the outgoing Nyck de Vries.

Although, this is a gamble for Ricciardo. The 34-year-old must prove himself with the Faenza-based team and match teammate Yuki Tsunoda. The Australian driver hopes to impress Milton Keynes with his results this season to replace Sergio Perez potentially. However, if Ricciardo fails to deliver the expected results, then he could be once again out of a drive soon.

Thus, Faenza cheered for a returning Ricciardo. The Australian driver was met with a huge round of applause from the team where he had previously spent two seasons. However, now Ricciardo and Alpha Tauri will go back to business as the Red Bull sister team gets the Honey Badger up to speed before the Hungarian GP.

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